Bachata Stuttgart by Lou
About
Lou Steiger
Dance, Nature and Psychology
"Rhythm is something that comes from nature - it's not something humans invented. Frequencies and patterns, music and even dance can be observed and measured in nature. Movement is energy and dance combines musical interpretation with physical activity. Dancing therefore is an activity which brings us back to the most basic behavior which can ground us and even has the power to heal us by focussing on the present moment and letting go of everything else our mind tends to hold on to. The mentioned aspects are associated with protective health effects. Not only dementia, Alzheimer and other neurodegenerative processes can be slowed down or prevented through regular dance exercise. But also mental and physical well being like fitness and a feeling of happiness can be increased by dancing.
More scientific research needs to be done. Nevertheless current results are linked to amazing benefits for those who regularly dance. "
- Lou (Dancer, Bachata Instructor, Event Organizer and Psychology Student M.Sc.)
Early years
Lou started dancing at the age 4. The first dance she learned was Ballett, followed by Hip Hop. During her teenage years, she was most often found dancing all night in the clubs. The joy she felt by moving to the music and expressing herself freely was incomparable to any other physical activity she knew. While she had always practiced in front of the mirror, trying to copy the dance moves she saw in the music videos of Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Sean Paul, Shakira, etc., she never imagined she would one day become a dance instructor...
Spanish language and Latin-America
The fierceness and sensuality of the Spanish, Latin and Afro-Caribbean culture have their unique magic which enchanted Lou - and still do today. Her curiosity and interest in the Spanish-speaking cultures motivated her to learn the language.
In 2012, Lou packed her bags to move for a couple of months to Argentina. In 2014, she moved for a few months to Madrid, Spain.
For many years now, Lou is fluent in Spanish and enjoys connecting with the music and culture - not only throughout the dance - but also through the language.
Lou's first encounter with Bachata - Dominican Republic
After spending several months in Argentina and later on in Spain, Bachata entered Lou's life in 2015, when she was 21 years old. Another important journey followed - one that would change her life in a way she would have never imagined.
Lou traveled alone to the Dominican Republic with only a backpack. She stayed with locals, who introduced her to Bachata and Merengue and showed her the Dominican culture. Lou immediately fell in love with the feeling she got when people got together to dance casually, while drinking rum and having a good time - the Dominican way of life.
Back in Germany the first thing Lou did was sign up to a Bachata class in Aachen (NRW) at Dance Fusion Aachen. Together with her partner at the time, she began training daily at home. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a serious goal, eventually leading them to complete several teachers' training programs, aiming for a professional dance instructor career.
The Bachata Sensual era of "Jorge & Lou"
After moving to Tübingen for her studies, Lou and her former partner began establishing Bachata courses in Tanzschule Salsamara, in 2017. They started with one course of six couples and gradually built a community that grew into eight weekly courses with around 130 students.
Before the pandemic, Jorge & Lou became were of the most well-known Bachata Sensual style teaching couples in Germany. They taught at parties and festivals in Germany, France, Switzerland and even in Quito (Ecuador) and Monterrey (Mexico). In 2021, Jorge & Lou ended their joint dance projects.
Lou's solo projects - Role Rotation
Lou continued teaching as a solo female artist in Tübingen, while also launching courses in Stuttgart. From early on she established Role Rotation as a fundamental concept of her partner dance classes. As the first woman in Bachata in Germany - and one of the first ones in Europe - to introduce Role Rotation methodology in her weekly Bachata classes, Lou began teaching all genders how to lead and how to follow in her partner classes. As a female instructor teaching without a partner, she initially struggled to find confidence in her own leading, after having danced as a follower for many years. Over time, normalizing dancing both roles in Bachata has become one of her most meaningful achievements. Combined with her feminist activism in which she has often criticized the increasing objectification of women within Bachata Sensual style, and the sexism that overlooks the beauty of Bachata as a partner dance - Lou has influenced the Bachata community in Stuttgart, helping to set a different standard for a more respectful and empathetic dance culture.
In her event series "Role Rotation" she first brought Felipe & Tiago, the official creators of Role Rotation, to Germany (2022, 2023), who were her mentors for this new chapter of her dance instructor journey.
Different Bachata styles and certifications
Over the years Lou temporarily lost touch with Traditional/Dominican Bachata - the style she originally fell in love with. In 2019, after meeting Bhavin & Soonruta (India - now based in Cologne), she began reconnecting more deeply with the Traditional Bachata style. She increasingly integrated and promoted Traditional Bachata in her classes and events.
Bachata Sensual style, the modern, "Spanish" Bachata style, that blends various dance influences to suit contemporary Bachata music styles, is the style in which Lou earned two certifications (2017, 2018). These were completed through a program and examination guided by Korke & Judith from Cádiz (Spain), widely known as the "creators of Bachata Sensual".
While Lou appreciates the fluid aesthetics of Bachata Sensual style, she also experienced how challenging this Bachata style can be, especially for female followers and beginners of any gender. Questioning the current trends of Bachata Sensual style led her to refocus on the Traditional/Dominican Bachata style. Returning to the roots inspired her create the event series "The Roots of Bachata", while her events promoting the Bachata Sensual style are titled "The Sensual Experience". Additionally, Lou completed two teachers' training programs in Traditional Bachata, certified by Bhavin & Soonruta in 2023 and Argenis & Carolina in 2024.
Bachata Stuttgart by Lou
Today, Lou is known for teaching multiple Bachata styles and Role Rotation. While she continues to teach classes and workshops both within and outside of Germany - including Spain, Switzerland, France, Mexico and Barbados - she has also organized around a dozen mid-sized Bachata events in Stuttgart, Southern Germany, where she lives. The events feature internationally recognized Bachata artists, such as Ozkar Hernandez (Mexico), Felipe & Tiago (Spain), Argenis & Carolina (Spain), Cristian & Gabriella (Spain), Samy el Mágico (France), Bhavin & Soonruta (Cologne), Ramon Brito (Bulgaria), and Issam & Charlott (Hamburg) , among many other instructors like Anna (Berlin), Theresa (Mannheim), Jordy & Nyota (Belgium), Elisabeth & Rafael (Darmstadt), Nick & Daniela (Mannheim), Kevin & Anissa (France), Yuri & Schirin (Nürnberg) and more.
The social dance party "Noche de Bachata" has become a meeting point for Bachata dancers from Stuttgart and beyond. It offers a respectful and safe space, welcoming dancers who value connection, inclusivity and social interaction. All Bachata styles are represented in both music and dance, while participants are encouraged to explore Role Rotation methodology. Beyond Dancing, "Noche de Bachata" also creates opportunities to connect and socialize in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Forró Haus. Music is provided by DJ Yas, with whom Lou has been working since 2018, and DJ Prachi with whom she has also been working for many years. Both are well-known Bachata Djs in Germany and Europe, ensuring a consistently high musical standard.
Lou's personal Bachata style blends modern and traditional elements. While emphasizing the importance of hip movements rooted in the Traditional style, she loves incorporating body waves and other elements of Modern and Sensual Bachata style. Combined with the methodology of Role Rotation, which teaches everyone how to lead and how to follow, "Bachata Stuttgart by Lou" has earned its reputation as an unusual yet authentic Bachata Dance School.
Lou offers high-quality dance lessons and hosts high-quality Bachata events. The participants appreciate the thoughtful workshop topics, unique atmosphere, the queer-friendly space, and the high standard of teachers, DJs, and music in her classes, parties and events.